Horses and donkeys: Code of welfare

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this code is to provide information to the owners and persons in charge of horses and donkeys about the standards they must achieve in order to meet their obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. This code encourages all those responsible for horses and donkeys to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling, and to equal or exceed the minimum standards. Adequately maintaining the welfare of horses and donkeys requires experience, training and the observance of high standards. Background - The Animal Welfare Act 1999 provides for the welfare of animals in New Zealand. It puts obligations on people who own or are in charge of animals to provide for the welfare of their animals. The Act establishes the fundamental obligations relating to the care of animals and provides for the development and issue of codes of welfare. Codes of welfare expand on the basic obligations of the Act by setting minimum standards and recommending best practice for the care and management of animals. Who should read this Code of Welfare? - This code is intended for all persons responsible for the welfare of horses and donkeys. Under the Act the “owner” and every “person in charge” of an animal are responsible for meeting the legal obligations for the welfare of animals under their care. For some horses and donkeys, the owner of the animals places them in the care of others who become the persons in charge, but this does not derogate from their responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the Act are met. Why is this important? - Failure to meet a minimum standard in this code may be used as evidence to support a prosecution for an offence under the Act. A person who is charged with an offence against the Act can defend him or herself by showing that he or she has equalled or exceeded the minimum standards in this code. This code includes information and example indicators for each minimum standard. The list of indicators is not exhaustive but is given to provide guidance on ways in which a minimum standard may be met. The recommendations for best practice in this code have no legal basis and are included to encourage higher standards of animal welfare